[HPforGrownups] Re: female ch./Hermione & getting slightly OT

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 3498

Susan wrote:

<<<But Hermione is male identified; therefore I think JKR is. I know *I* was
in high school, and probably still am to some extent. It takes quite a bit
of time to appreciate women and to find opportunities for exciting fun
female bonding stuff. Being male identified tends to be how smart girls deal.>>>

I see your point.  I guess I was taking what you said a little too literally. 

I suppose some would say I am, to some extent, a 'female-identified' man,
but I would say I'm myself and not following the guide labelled "How To Be A
Man".  Therefore, I argue that Hermione is not male-identified, she is just
independent and self-identified at a young age.  Her best friends happen to
be two boys because circumstance threw them together, and she (and they) had
the mettle to embrace that and not see it as being unexpected gender
behaviour. Of course, they weren't making conscious decisions when they
bonded; I saw it as a demonstration of the deep basis of human friendship.  

It's difficult to strike a balance between gender equality and gender
identity if one maintains existing assumptions about male and female
identity.  Who decided, for example, that men like sport and women like
chocolate?  Am I a gender-challenging freak if I hate football and verge on
chocaholism?  I think not.

What I like about JKR's world is the potential for change in the characters.
She uses stereotypes, but she also challenges them (often in the development
of individuals). Many of the female characters are sidelined or sketchy, but
any of them could take on a greater role or significance at any time.  There
is no sense, to my mind, that they are stuck with their lot.  I dearly hope
she explores the potential, but it's her call.

Neil 



            Flying-Ford-Anglia

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   "Then, dented, scratched and steaming, 
   the car rumbled off into the darkness, 
   its rear lights blazing angrily"

 [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]

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